MacKenzie “Mac” Dallenbach

Hi there, I’m Mac (she/her/hers) and I am so glad you are here! I am a current facilitator for one of our multifamily skills groups at The Oak Center (TOC). I am a firm believer that people are doing the best they can at any given moment and want to do better. I also believe that you do not need to be perfect to be worthy and loved. We are all striving for progress, not perfection.

With that said, I completed my undergraduate degrees in social work and psychology, with a conflict resolution certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. I then enrolled at Mizzou in their social work dual MSW/PhD. I received my MSW in December 2022 and now am focusing on my dissertation as a PhD candidate. I love both research and clinical work, so there is a lot of overlap between the two for me. While I have worked with adults, I primarily work with youth and am passionate about helping them feel comfortable in their own unique and authentic selves.

I utilized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the past before I started and completed my clinical practicum here at TOC in 2022. I fell in love with dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), the wonderful clinicians, and clients during my time at TOC. So much so that I decided to come back as a group facilitator!

If I am not at TOC, Mizzou, or facilitating a group as part of my job at Mizzou, you can find me hanging out with my husband, friend & family, and/or with our three personality-filled cats (Maslow, Harlow, and Nibbler)! I love exploring and traveling. If it is soccer season, you will catch me in Kansas City cheering on the Sporting Kansas City.

I live my life following the three C’s - cats, coffee, and curiosity.